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2020 Mercedes Benz G63 AMG

The G550 is better for folks who might actually go off-roading, what with its less-aggressive wheel/tire setup, and it still packs hearty V8 punch and a world-class interior.

The G63, meanwhile, starts at $147,500, and it’s a bombastic, grandiose, completely unnecessary thing. It’s powered by an AMG-built, 4.0-liter, twin-turbocharged V7, pumping out 577 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque. That’s a full 161 horsepower and 177 pound-feet more than the G550. And with 22-inch wheels wrapped in summer tires, the G63 is more beast-in-the-street than it is devil-in-the-dirt.

If the old G-Class had one glaring problem, it was the steering. Unchanged for generations, the recirculating-ball setup was kind of scary, with terrible on-center feeling and irregular weighting. For 2019, it’s been replaced by a more traditional, electronically assisted rack-and-pinion system, so the G63 reliably goes in the direction I point it. This more modern steering setup even has two different modes: Comfort feels a bit too light for a vehicle this large, but Sport adds an appropriate amount of weight, and it’s my preferred setting for all situations.

Another big improvement is the independent front suspension. The cold, hard fact is that most G-Wagen owners stay far away from the dirt, and an independent setup provides a much more comfortable ride.

2020 Mercedes Benz GLS450 4MATIC

Mercedes is calling the GLS the S-Class of SUVs. Its engineers wanted to capture the S-Class’ ethos, combining luxury, technology, and design in a quiet, comfortable and refined package. With the GLS’ new all-wheel-drive system and off-road package, it’s all of that in a go-anywhere package.

The Alabama-built GLS debuted just over a decade ago as the GL-Class, sitting atop the ever-growing Mercedes-Benz SUV lineup. Mercedes had already nailed the GLS’ basic formula over two generations, so the automaker focused on refining it further with two new, more powerful, and more efficient engines. A new all-wheel-drive system draws some influence from the tried-and-true G-Wagen. It’s also loaded with the latest driver assistance features and the trick E-Active Body Control air suspension that debuted on last year’s GLE-Class.

The third-gen GLS is slightly larger than before. Its 2.4-inch longer wheelbase has an inch on its nearest competitor, the 2019 BMW X7, and it’s even longer than the long-wheelbase Range Rover. Passengers in the second row are treated to a copious amount of legroom. A new six-seat variant swaps a second-row bench for two captain’s chairs. With the seats slid all the way back, legroom is up 3.4 inches. Third-row space has increased, too, with enough room for a pair of adults to sit comfortably, at least for short distances.

It’s not just about more space, either. The GLS offers five-zone climate control, with the third row getting its own electrically-powered heater and A/C unit. Third-row passengers get optional heated seats in addition to a pair of USB ports (nine in total) and a standard wireless charging pad, meaning everyone in the car should be able to charge their devices at once.

The interior design itself hews closely to the current Mercedes corporate look, in particular, the new GLE class – handsome, clean and typically German, though the ultra-wide instrument cluster/infotainment screen isn’t going to be everyone’s cup of tea. The materials are both pretty to look at and a pleasure to touch, with leather, wood, and metal covering nearly every surface save for the headliner. Even the shifter and turn signal stocks have received some attention, so it doesn’t look like a parts-bin special inside. But more importantly, the highly adjustable seats with optional massage functions keep bodies from becoming too fatigued after hundreds of miles between stops. If you’ve been in any recent Mercedes product, it will all be immediately familiar, but no less impressive for it.

Mercedes new MBUX infotainment system is a huge improvement over the previous system, so we’re glad it’s making its way into more and more models. The interface is cleaner than before, and we like that there are several ways to interact with the system: a new center console touchpad, as well as a voice command. In our experience, the voice commands work better than BMW’s. The augmented reality navigation directions are particularly impressive. It debuted with MBUX in the new 2019 Mercedes-Benz A-Class. It overlays addresses and arrows over what the camera is showing in the center screen. It helps show exactly where you’re at as opposed to a small arrow on a map. That said, the infotainment as a whole isn’t quite as handsome or straightforward as what you find in recent BMW and Audi products. The controls on the steering wheel are small, and the multitude of buttons means you have to take your eyes off the road for simple tasks, like setting the adaptive cruise control or switching menus in the digital instrument cluster.

The GLS has two new (and rather complex) engines, a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six making 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque and a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 making 483 horsepower and 518 pound-feet of torque. Both are paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system Mercedes calls EQ Boost, increasing fuel efficiency and performance. Both systems work the same way. A small electric motor is placed between the engine and transmission and performs a variety of tasks, from smoothing out shifts to mitigating turbo lag by supplying a bit of low-end power while exhaust gasses spool the turbos. It even powers the accessories, meaning these engines are beltless. That makes them more compact, but it also means there’s less parasitic loss from accessories such as the A/C compressor. This is the first time the system is available with a V8 engine, but expect the powertrain to expand to much of Mercedes’ lineup over the next few years.

We’ve sampled the EQ Boost in a variety of models, mostly variants of the E- and CLS-Class, and have been hugely impressed. The system was a finalist for Autoblog‘s Technology of the Year. Like in those other cars, the GLS’ power delivery is smooth and linear, with lots of low-end torque to help you off the line and move through traffic. With the kick of torque and lack of turbo lag, these don’t feel like other small-displacement turbo engines, including those from Mercedes. There’s power all over the rev band, and while fuel economy ratings haven’t been revealed, expect a significant improvement over last year’s model. While the new V8 in the GLS 580 is knockout, with effortless power and a throaty exhaust note at full bore, the 3.0-liter in the GLS 450 offers plenty of power day-to-day and is a good value on its own.

All GLS models send power to all four wheels through a nine-speed automatic transmission. It’s smooth and unobtrusive like any good automatic should be, and it’s right there with ZF’s seemingly ubiquitous 8HP 8-speed automatic in terms of refinement.

The new four-wheel-drive system is far more noteworthy. The old GLS’ system had a fixed 50:50 front-to-rear torque split, but the new model is fully variable, sending 100-percent of the power to the rear wheels in most situations and up to 50-percent of the power to the front when needed. It should help improve traction in all situations, but on loose surfaces like sand, gravel or dirt, it’s pretty damn easy to induce oversteer to help the rear of the 17-foot-long SUV rotate like a vehicle half its size. It’s amazing just how nimble the GLS feels, especially off road or on tight switchbacks. The turning radius is extremely tight, making it feel and drive like a much shorter and narrower vehicle.

While no GLS owner is actually going to be doing any serious off-roading, the GLS is plenty capable, especially with the new off-road package. The package includes a real, legitimate low range for better crawling and an enhanced Off-Road+ mode that adjusts things like throttle response, suspension and transmission tuning. The GLS also includes hill-descent control and adjustable ride height. All told, the GLS is similar to the Range Rover in that it’s far more capable than it really needs to be.

The new engines and four-wheel-drive system are great, but the single most impressive thing about the 2020 GLS is the ride. The standard air suspension offers a smooth and isolating ride for such a big SUV, but the optional E-Active Body Control is something really special. It’s a complicated system (if you haven’t gathered it by now, most of what makes the GLS good is complicated), but the basic premise is that a camera reads the road ahead and pre-loads the suspension for any imperfections. Unlike some reactive systems, this knows what’s coming up ahead, smoothing out imperfections and potholes like they aren’t even there. We expected it to work well on the pavement, but the way it seemingly flattens out a dirt road is truly transformative. While it’s mainly responsible for improving ride, E-Active Body Control can help you get unstuck in mud or sand. It looks a bit goofy bouncing up and down like an Impala in a ’90s music video, but it works.

2020 Mercedes Benz GLS450 4MATIC

Mercedes is calling the GLS the S-Class of SUVs. Its engineers wanted to capture the S-Class’ ethos, combining luxury, technology, and design in a quiet, comfortable and refined package. With the GLS’ new all-wheel-drive system and off-road package, it’s all of that in a go-anywhere package.

The Alabama-built GLS debuted just over a decade ago as the GL-Class, sitting atop the ever-growing Mercedes-Benz SUV lineup. Mercedes had already nailed the GLS’ basic formula over two generations, so the automaker focused on refining it further with two new, more powerful, and more efficient engines. A new all-wheel-drive system draws some influence from the tried-and-true G-Wagen. It’s also loaded with the latest driver assistance features and the trick E-Active Body Control air suspension that debuted on last year’s GLE-Class.

The third-gen GLS is slightly larger than before. Its 2.4-inch longer wheelbase has an inch on its nearest competitor, the 2019 BMW X7, and it’s even longer than the long-wheelbase Range Rover. Passengers in the second row are treated to a copious amount of legroom. A new six-seat variant swaps a second-row bench for two captain’s chairs. With the seats slid all the way back, legroom is up 3.4 inches. Third-row space has increased, too, with enough room for a pair of adults to sit comfortably, at least for short distances.

It’s not just about more space, either. The GLS offers five-zone climate control, with the third row getting its own electrically-powered heater and A/C unit. Third-row passengers get optional heated seats in addition to a pair of USB ports (nine in total) and a standard wireless charging pad, meaning everyone in the car should be able to charge their devices at once.

The interior design itself hews closely to the current Mercedes corporate look, in particular, the new GLE class – handsome, clean and typically German, though the ultra-wide instrument cluster/infotainment screen isn’t going to be everyone’s cup of tea. The materials are both pretty to look at and a pleasure to touch, with leather, wood, and metal covering nearly every surface save for the headliner. Even the shifter and turn signal stocks have received some attention, so it doesn’t look like a parts-bin special inside. But more importantly, the highly adjustable seats with optional massage functions keep bodies from becoming too fatigued after hundreds of miles between stops. If you’ve been in any recent Mercedes product, it will all be immediately familiar, but no less impressive for it.

Mercedes new MBUX infotainment system is a huge improvement over the previous system, so we’re glad it’s making its way into more and more models. The interface is cleaner than before, and we like that there are several ways to interact with the system: a new center console touchpad, as well as a voice command. In our experience, the voice commands work better than BMW’s. The augmented reality navigation directions are particularly impressive. It debuted with MBUX in the new 2019 Mercedes-Benz A-Class. It overlays addresses and arrows over what the camera is showing in the center screen. It helps show exactly where you’re at as opposed to a small arrow on a map. That said, the infotainment as a whole isn’t quite as handsome or straightforward as what you find in recent BMW and Audi products. The controls on the steering wheel are small, and the multitude of buttons means you have to take your eyes off the road for simple tasks, like setting the adaptive cruise control or switching menus in the digital instrument cluster.

The GLS has two new (and rather complex) engines, a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six making 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque and a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 making 483 horsepower and 518 pound-feet of torque. Both are paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system Mercedes calls EQ Boost, increasing fuel efficiency and performance. Both systems work the same way. A small electric motor is placed between the engine and transmission and performs a variety of tasks, from smoothing out shifts to mitigating turbo lag by supplying a bit of low-end power while exhaust gasses spool the turbos. It even powers the accessories, meaning these engines are beltless. That makes them more compact, but it also means there’s less parasitic loss from accessories such as the A/C compressor. This is the first time the system is available with a V8 engine, but expect the powertrain to expand to much of Mercedes’ lineup over the next few years.

We’ve sampled the EQ Boost in a variety of models, mostly variants of the E- and CLS-Class, and have been hugely impressed. The system was a finalist for Autoblog‘s Technology of the Year. Like in those other cars, the GLS’ power delivery is smooth and linear, with lots of low-end torque to help you off the line and move through traffic. With the kick of torque and lack of turbo lag, these don’t feel like other small-displacement turbo engines, including those from Mercedes. There’s power all over the rev band, and while fuel economy ratings haven’t been revealed, expect a significant improvement over last year’s model. While the new V8 in the GLS 580 is knockout, with effortless power and a throaty exhaust note at full bore, the 3.0-liter in the GLS 450 offers plenty of power day-to-day and is a good value on its own.

All GLS models send power to all four wheels through a nine-speed automatic transmission. It’s smooth and unobtrusive like any good automatic should be, and it’s right there with ZF’s seemingly ubiquitous 8HP 8-speed automatic in terms of refinement.

The new four-wheel-drive system is far more noteworthy. The old GLS’ system had a fixed 50:50 front-to-rear torque split, but the new model is fully variable, sending 100-percent of the power to the rear wheels in most situations and up to 50-percent of the power to the front when needed. It should help improve traction in all situations, but on loose surfaces like sand, gravel or dirt, it’s pretty damn easy to induce oversteer to help the rear of the 17-foot-long SUV rotate like a vehicle half its size. It’s amazing just how nimble the GLS feels, especially off road or on tight switchbacks. The turning radius is extremely tight, making it feel and drive like a much shorter and narrower vehicle.

While no GLS owner is actually going to be doing any serious off-roading, the GLS is plenty capable, especially with the new off-road package. The package includes a real, legitimate low range for better crawling and an enhanced Off-Road+ mode that adjusts things like throttle response, suspension and transmission tuning. The GLS also includes hill-descent control and adjustable ride height. All told, the GLS is similar to the Range Rover in that it’s far more capable than it really needs to be.

The new engines and four-wheel-drive system are great, but the single most impressive thing about the 2020 GLS is the ride. The standard air suspension offers a smooth and isolating ride for such a big SUV, but the optional E-Active Body Control is something really special. It’s a complicated system (if you haven’t gathered it by now, most of what makes the GLS good is complicated), but the basic premise is that a camera reads the road ahead and pre-loads the suspension for any imperfections. Unlike some reactive systems, this knows what’s coming up ahead, smoothing out imperfections and potholes like they aren’t even there. We expected it to work well on the pavement, but the way it seemingly flattens out a dirt road is truly transformative. While it’s mainly responsible for improving ride, E-Active Body Control can help you get unstuck in mud or sand. It looks a bit goofy bouncing up and down like an Impala in a ’90s music video, but it works.

2020 Mercedes Benz GLE350 4MATIC

The Mercedes-Benz GLE has been one of the top-rated luxury SUVs on Edmunds. This year, it’s been given a full redesign, adding more features, more refinement, and greater capabilities. It should come as no surprise that the new 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE sets a new standard.

In addition to all of the touches that make a Mercedes special, the GLE gets all of the latest and greatest innovations and upgrades. The MBUX infotainment system is standard on all models and has garnered high praise for its ease of use and cutting-edge tech. There are also plenty of available advanced safety features and driver assistance for added security. For 2020, you can add a third row of seats, and even better, all of these items are available on every GLE model.

The only feature that is unique to the top-tier GLE 450 4Matic is the innovative new E-Active Body Control suspension option. If you happen to have a generous budget, it’s a game-changer. This suspension leans the vehicle into turns, much like how a motorcycle does. For passengers, it reduces the sensation of lateral cornering forces, making it feel incredibly sure-footed.

But even if you just get the base GLE 350, this Mercedes SUV will easily satisfy with its modern design, impeccable interior, and solid construction. If you’re in the market for a midsize luxury SUV, the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE should be at the top of your list.

Get acquainted with the newly reimagined 2020 GLE. Looking toward the future of progress, this SUV sets innovation into motion. Equipped with the all-new Mercedes-Benz User Experience system (MBUX), your desires are met through artificial intelligence as it learns your preferences along the way. Augmented reality displays enhanced navigation, illuminating your path with groundbreaking features. And the simple utterance of “Hey Mercedes” activates Intelligent Voice Control, commanding this vehicle to attention.

Defined by its modern take on luxury, the GLE craves off-roading to exhibit its raw ability to traverse rugged terrain, as it generously dispenses power and confident stability. Ever the superior athlete, all variants transmit an exemplary performance with a 9G-TRONIC 9-speed automatic transmission — making exhilaration standard. Pioneering an all-new intelligent chassis — the only system of its kind on the market — this SUV uses 48-volt technology to increase efficiency and comfort wherever you roam.

Take the wheel for a range of extensive Driver Assistance features that refine every journey to deliver cool composure. The fastidious design brings flowing surfaces and stellar ergonomics for extraordinary comfort, while the increased wheelbase creates significantly more interior space.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE will debut this October 2018 at the World Premiere at Mondial l’ Automobile in Paris and will cruise into U.S. dealerships spring 2019.

2019 Mercedes Benz G550 4MATIC

The Mercedes-Benz G-Class is a tough old broad, able to make quick work of Schöckl and sand dune alike. But for every one Geländewagen you’ll find living it up in a mud bog, there are probably 20 parked at some posh shopping center in Miami or Southern California. These days, the G is as much (if not more of) a luxury lifestyle icon as it is a formidable off-road brute.

Thankfully, the 2019 G550 brings improvements that strengthen its appeal at both ends of that spectrum.

First, let’s start with what hasn’t changed: that curb appeal. Viewed from the side or rear three-quarter, you could be forgiven for mistaking the 2019 G550 for its predecessor, especially in the unimaginative shade of Iridium Silver pictured here. (Fun fact: The G550 is available in your choice of 24 different exterior paint options, giving it one of the most diverse color palettes of any Mercedes-Benz model — second only to the AMG G63, natch.)

The G’s visual changes are more obvious upfront, where the round headlamps are outlined by LED daytime running lights. Brush guards are available for either the upper or lower fascias. They come in chrome or, if you spec the $5,370 Night Package with AMG Line, black. The G550 rolls on either 19- or 20-inch wheels, the former of which are seen on this test car, wrapped in Detroit-in-January-friendly Pirelli Scorpion winter tires.

Yet despite casting a striking resemblance to its forebear, all but two parts of the exterior are actually new. Only the door handles and spare tire cover carry over unchanged from the last-generation G. And if you’ve ever had the pleasure of opening or closing the door of a G-Wagen, you know that the very specific click of the chunky door handles are paramount to a proper G-Class experience.

The G’s exterior may be an exercise in anachronistic restraint, but the interior is anything but. Fully updated and packed with modern luxury and tech, the G550’s cabin is one of Mercedes’ finest.

Everything here is new, save the passenger-side dashboard grab handle and the three differential lock buttons in the center stack (more historically accurate G-Wagen stuff). Every touchable surface is lined with the finest materials, and the seats are cushy and supportive, offering a commanding view out the upright windshield and down the flat hood. Two aluminum tweeters flank either side of the shallow dashboard and are meant to mimic the placement of the turn signals at the end of the bonnet. More metal outlines the stylized air vents, nicely complementing the carbon-fiber trim on the center console. I’ll admit I’m not the biggest fan of bright red leather, but I think it totally works against the silver exterior of this G550 test car. (“The mantra was that an ordinary exterior must have a sexy interior,” a former Mercedes rep told me.)

Because the 2019 G550 is almost five inches wider than its predecessor, front and rear passengers enjoy more shoulder and elbow room than before. Headroom, meanwhile, remains plentiful, and the G550’s sunroof is finally a glass piece with a sunshade, rather than the one-piece roof panel from the previous generation. Thanks to the G’s 2.1 inches of additional length and a bench that’s positioned further back, rear passengers enjoy an extra 6 inches of legroom in the 2019 G550 — a welcome improvement. The more generous back-seat accommodation impedes slightly on cargo space but there’s still a wealth of capacity behind the tailgate, even if its side-hinged design is tough to use when you’re backed into a garage or tightly parallel parked.

The G-Wagen’s military roots have no impact on the luxury on display in its cabin. This is a beautiful place with ultra-high-quality leather, wood, and metal everywhere you look. It’s clean and lovely. Even the slab housing the twin 12.3-inch displays (one for the instrument cluster and another for the infotainment system), which normally feels out of place in other Mercedes models, is better integrated here thanks to its leather-wrapped surround.

It’s the little touches, though, that highlight both how excellent the G-Class’ cabin is and how careful Mercedes has been in adapting a luxury cabin to off-road duty. Little bits of stitching here and there are one thing, but the nifty knee padding on the transmission tunnel, the neatly integrated grab handle on the dash in front of the passenger, and the simple, subtle metal buttons for the locking differentials marry Mercedes luxury with robust functionality. If you dislike Range Rovers because luxury overshadows off-road credentials, the G-Wagen is the vehicle for you.

2019 Mercedes Benz S450 4MATIC

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedan has been substantially revised for 2018. The flagship of the marque, the S-Class is the benchmark for all luxury sedans. It’s one of the most lavish and classy displays anywhere of wealth and exclusivity, with graceful and athletic styling, effortless power, an exceptional ride, plush interior, and sweeping standard and optional equipment.

The 2019 Mercedes-Benz S-class has long been synonymous with luxury, thanks to the car’s elegant aesthetics and compelling performance. Whether you choose the roomy sedan, sporty coupe, or indulgent convertible, these high-class Benzes are loaded with the latest technology and the richest materials. Anybody who’s somebody is a regular passenger in this world-class sedan, and it’s an easy choice for buyers who won’t settle for anything but the best. Yes, it’s expensive, but as the saying goes, you get what you pay for, and that has never been truer than when said about the S-class.

While the S450’s twin-turbo V-6 is probably plenty of engine for most drivers, it’s hard to resist the S560’s silken V-8, so it’s the model we’d select. No matter which version you choose, the S-class is pricey, so we’d be light with the options. We would, however, consider the Driver Assistance package that adds a semi-autonomous driving mode, among other driver-assist features. We’d also select the Premium package, which adds massaging front seats with heat and ventilation; a self-parking feature with a 360-degree exterior camera system; power side-window sunshades for the rear seat; and keyless entry with push-button start.

The S-class sedan is available with one of two buttery smooth and powerful gasoline powertrains: a 362-hp twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 and a 463-hp twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8. The former is sold with S450 badges, and the latter wears S560 on its trunk lid. Rear-wheel drive is standard, but all-wheel drive can be ordered with either engine. We clocked a rear-wheel-drive S450 at 5.3 seconds in our zero-to-60-mph test; the S560 did the deed in 4.2 seconds. Two-door models come only with the V-8 and the coupe managed a brisk 4.0-second zero-to-60-mph run at our test track. If these numbers aren’t exciting enough for you, the Mercedes-AMG lineup of S-classes(reviewed separately) is even quicker.

Imagine, if you will, the ideal luxury-car ride: comfortable with the faintest hint of floatiness, without any sacrifice to secure handling or vehicle control. That sums up the S-class’s suspension, which is the industry standard for large luxury cars. Every S-class comes standard with an air suspension and adaptive dampers, with the ability to select either Comfort or Sport mode. (Each mode has its own specific setting for steering, engine, and transmission.) There’s no hiding the Benz’s sheer size, but the car turns fine with only moderate lean and reacts promptly and smoothly to steering inputs.

2019 Mercedes Benz G63 AMG

The 2019 Mercedes-AMG G63 throws sensibility out the window. It accelerates like a sports car but its burdened by the extra weight of its formidable off-road kit; it’s got the goods to theoretically take on just about any off-road obstacle but it rides on sticky summer tires that struggle to find grip on anything but tarmac.

The Mercedes-Benz G-Class was initially designed for military and off-road use. But somewhere along the line, people who had never ventured onto a dirt road started buying them for the style and image. As appealing as the original G-Class was, the design was far too authentic to its military roots for the civilian world. Over the years, Mercedes-Benz applied the proverbial lipstick to a pig to make it more palatable. And it worked, to a point.

But as the rest of the SUV segment became more civilized, it was inevitable that the G-Class would follow. The question then became: How? Would it become a neutered SUV or retain its off-road and military credibility? The answer lies somewhere in the middle.

The redesigned 2019 G-Class has a more modern independent suspension setup that allows it to ride more smoothly and steer more precisely around turns. The interior, which is larger this year, keeps many of the styling cues of the original but now features less noise and modern infotainment and electronics.

Even though the new G-Class is now thoroughly domesticated, Mercedes-Benz says it’s still one of the most potent off-road SUVs on the market. The 2019 version comes with locking differentials that can lock all four wheels together to spin at the same speed to minimize wheelspin and find every bit of traction on slick and slippery surfaces.

Overall, we’re happy to see this SUV stick to its rough-and-tumble roots while bringing about just enough polish to keep it appealing. It’s upright styling easily makes it stand out among the crowd of more sleekly styled SUVs. But if you’re looking for a more practical SUV, you might want to consider getting Mercedes’ GLE or maybe even a Land Rover Range Rover.

However, those with the means to welcome a little irrationality into their lives are sure to love Mercedes-AMG’s high-performance SUV. Like a SEMA concept come to life, the G63 is stupid-fun in the best ways possible. Sure, a Mercedes-AMG GT is a better on-road performance car and the less powerful Mercedes-Benz G550’s standard all-season tires offer greater off-road performance (real off-roaders will want to slap on knobbier all-terrain rubber, though), but there’s something innately satisfying about driving a nearly three-ton SUV that’s capable of out-accelerating many sports cars.

With a starting price of $147,500, the G63 costs a cool $23,000 more than a G550. Is the AMG-badged box really worth the extra money over its lesser Benz branded sibling? That depends. While the standard G is plenty powerful and luxurious, the AMG model’s extra power, dynamic improvements, and more sporting looks give it an appeal that’s matched only by the more expensive, $178,500 Land Rover Range Rover SV Autobiography Dynamic. (This G’s $166,095 as-tested price, however, narrows the price gap.)

The G63 has all the trimmings of a luxury machine, though, and it sports standard equipment such as soft leather seats, heated and power operated front seats with memory, heated rear seats, tri-zone automatic climate control, a power sunroof, and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen with navigation and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. Noticeably missing, however, are features such as a proximity key or power cargo door, neither of which are optionally available. Blame the exterior door handles, which the latest G63 shares with its predecessor, a vehicle whose origins date back to 1979. A time well before the advent of keyless entry, let alone proximity keys.

Despite its familiar looks, the 2019 G63 shares only the aforementioned exterior door handles, headlight-washer sprayers, and spare tire cover with its forebear. Mercedes’s flagship SUV stands out for its simple, purpose-built design, and the latest iteration of the G63 benefits from 6.0-inch wider front and rear tracks.

A number of AMG-specific cues such as the addition of the performance sub-brand’s now-ubiquitous Panamericana grille, a more aggressive lower fascia hidden behind a chunky bull bar, flared fenders, burly side exhaust pipes, and a set of 20-inch wheels and tires make the G63 look even more audacious than its G550 counterpart. The G63 we’re testing, however, takes things a few steps further, courtesy of a $2,300 coat of Designo Cardinal Red paint, and the $3,950 22-inch wheel and tire package.

It’s no less charming inside the G63, which combines modern Mercedes amenities with classic G cues such as an upright windshield, shallow dashboard with prominent buttons for the locking differentials, and a large grab handle fore of the passenger seat. That said, the G63’s cabin marks a far greater departure from tradition than its exterior. Alongside new features such as cup holders integrated into the center console and a fold-down rear armrest, the G63 also benefits from a big 12.3-inch dashboard-mounted infotainment screen, a meaty three-spoke steering wheel, and an array of attractive metal, plastic, and leather pieces. We’re particularly fond of the air vents and door-panel grab handles, which possess craftsmanship and quality worthy of this SUV’s six-figure price tag. Adding to this tester’s interior’s appeal is $1,300 in Designo open-pore ash wood and a steering wheel wrapped in $500 of leather and faux-suede. Meanwhile, the engine wears a $1,500 carbon-fiber cover.

2020 Mercedes Benz GLE450 4MATIC

Within the recent updates to Mercedes-Benz’s core lineup, the freshening of the 2020 GLE-class is a big deal. Introduced as the M-class in 1998 and renamed GLE in 2015, the mid-size SUV has long been a key part of the Mercedes range. Although it hasn’t reached the iconic status of the also new G-class, the significance of the GLE’s updates are undeniable and mostly satisfying.

The 2020 GLE comes standard with a 255-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four denoted by a GLE350 badge on its liftgate. But the turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six in our GLE450 test car is a juicier cut. The silky-smooth engine and its 48-volt hybrid electrical system are shared with the Mercedes-Benz CLS450 and will soon spread to other Benz models. Here it develops 362 horsepower, routed through a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive.

The turbo six’s power was more than adequate for our test vehicle’s hefty 5151 pounds, and highway merging and passing maneuvers were never anxiety-inducing. Mat the accelerator and the GLE450 moves off with little hesitation and an authoritative soundtrack, particularly in the Sport and Sport Plus driving modes (along with the default Comfort setting, there are also Eco and Individual modes). We recorded acceleration times that were slightly quicker than those of the outgoing six-cylinder GLE400, but the improvement is incremental. The GLE450 managed a 5.3-second zero-to-60-mph run, which puts it on pace with the Audi Q8 but 0.4 seconds behind the six-cylinder BMW X5. The Benz nearly catches up with the quicker Bimmer in the quarter-mile, however, posting a 13.9-second pass at 100 mph.

On the road, the GLE450 rides less stiffly than the Audi or the BMW, yet with less agility and composure. Our test car came with one of the two different optional air-suspension systems, but it lacked the astute body control over road undulations and in brisk cornering maneuvers that we expected, even considering it’s an off-road-capable SUV. The standard suspension features conventional steel coil springs, but we have yet to experience that setup. The feeling of excessive suspension compliance was borne out on the skidpad, where the GLE450 delivered a so-so 0.82 g of grip versus the BMW’s 0.89 g.

Despite the suspension’s extra pliancy, the GLE’s ride over pockmarked roads was often harsh on our test car’s optional 20-inch wheels; we have yet to drive a version of the standard 19-inches. Stomping on the Benz’s reassuringly firm brake pedal results in a class-competitive 175-foot stop from 70 mph, although the aggressive initial bite from the calipers can be difficult to modulate in stop-and-go traffic.

The new GLE-class’s cabin pushes Benz’s interior design further along while still holding true to the rest of the lineup. Our GLE450 4Matic test vehicle was loaded with options—$18,810 worth, to be exact—and included an in-cabin fragrance diffuser, four-zone automatic climate control, heated front and rear seats, soft-close doors, a huge head-up display, and a 64-color ambient lighting system that flashes the integrated lighting strips either blue or red when adjusting the temperature of the climate control. Our example came equipped with the $1850 Premium package, which adds the ambient lighting system, an inductive charging pad for devices, satellite radio, a 115-volt power outlet, and a 13-speaker Burmester audio system. The upgraded stereo provides rich, crisp sound, but its lower front speakers sent unseemly vibrations into the driver’s-side footwell, even after we adjusted the bass and switched to our local NPR station for the latest episode of This American Life. The faux leather and microsuede seat upholstery in our test vehicle looked attractive, but at an $80,955 as-tested price, we’d have appreciated genuine materials.

Passenger space is plentiful in both the front and back seats; Mercedes is now offering an optional third row of seats in the GLE-class, but our test vehicle wasn’t fitted with the pop-up chairs. Two widescreen 12.3-inch displays float in front of the dashboard as they do in other contemporary Benzes and project Mercedes-Benz’s new MBUX infotainment system that debuted in the entry-level A-class last year. The new interface isn’t as logically laid out as the previous generation’s COMAND infotainment system and requires some initial familiarization. But MBUX can be controlled via touchscreen, voice, or a console-mounted touchpad, the latter of which is far superior to the nominally similar setup in some Lexus models. The system’s voice commands are handy in their responsiveness to simple commands, and it responds much like Apple’s Siri or Amazon’s Alexa, but we can’t help feeling a little silly when summoning the system’s attention with the “Hey, Mercedes” command prompt.

2020 Mercedes Benz GLS450 4MATIC

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class debuted its big third-generation shape in April, revealing a refreshed design with tons of tech and new powertrain choices, including a new turbocharged inline-six and a meaty twin-turbo V8. One thing that Mercedes didn’t mention at the big reveal for its range-topping SUV is price, but that’s been at least partially remedied today with a dollar figure for the entry-level GLS 450. As you’d expect it’s not exactly cheap with a starting price of $75,200, and that doesn’t include $995 in destination charges.

Of course, there’s the fresh engine under the hood as well. The new 3.0-liter inline-six makes 362 horsepower (269 kilowatts) and 369 pound-feet (500 Newton-meters) of torque, which discriminating Mercedes-Benz followers will note is exactly the same on both counts as the previous-generation twin-turbo V6. However, the new arrangement features the automaker’s EQ Boost mild-hybrid tech that aids in both efficiency and power delivery. Using the same nine-speed automatic turning all four wheels as the previous model, Mercedes says the new GLS 450 can reach 60 mph in 5.9 seconds – roughly a half-second quicker than its predecessor.

Like the outgoing model, the 2020 GLS-class will come standard with both all-wheel drive and an air-suspension system, but the new model can also be equipped with Mercedes’s E-Active Body Control suspension system. The active suspension is novel, utilizing the car’s hybrid system to quickly change its damping based on what a forward-facing camera sees on the road ahead, allowing it to deliver a smoother ride on potholed roads and adapt to changing off-road conditions. It can also hilariously bounce itself up and down to help the driver get unstuck from sand or mud. E-Active Body Control adds $8200 to the price of the also-new 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE-class, and we expect it to carry a similar premium here.

While the new GLS450 is a good bit more expensive than the old model, it’s close in price to its main competitor, BMW’s new X7 SUV. In six-cylinder form, the BMW is only $1300 cheaper than the Mercedes and is equally easy to load up with options. The new GLS will hit dealerships at the end of this year, with pricing for the GLS580 model to be revealed then.

Import/Export 2018 Mercedes-Benz Metris

All Metris vans sold in the U.S. use a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine rated at 208 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. A 7-speed automatic transmission shuttles power to the rear wheels. Combined with its precise, well-weighted steering, the Metris has an athletic feel. The passenger version of the Metris boasts good room for seven. Every Metris uses a version of the automaker’s 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine rated at 208 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a 7-speed automatic transmission. More impressive is the Metris’ accurate steering, which has little slack and communicates what the front wheels are up to better than many coupes and sedans. Moreover, the thick-rimmed three-spoke steering wheel is a delight to hold.

Import/Export Ready Mercedes-Benz GLS450

Model Preview

Import/Export Mercedes Benz GLS450

The GLS-Class made its debut as a new model in 2017, but it was essentially a restyled version of the discontinued GL-Class. With it still quite fresh, we expect the 2018 GLS-Class to carry on without any changes.

As a carryover model, we expect no noticeable changes to its styling, as it’ll continue with its refreshed-GL-Class appearance. The same goes for the interior, which in 2017 gained a touchpad for the infotainment system, a large display screen, Apple CarPlay, and more.

With its looks remaining the same, we anticipate no changes in the GLS-Class’ standard features. These will include 19-inch wheels, a self-leveling suspension, auto-dimming side-view mirrors, automatic headlights, LED daytime running lights and taillights, a sunroof, leatherette upholstery, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, and a power liftgate.

Buyers looking to add more features will be able to opt for the Premium Package, which will add keyless entry and ignition, power passenger seat with memory, lighted door sills, ambient lighting, and navigation. There will also the Lighting Package, which will add adaptive LED headlights and auto high beams.

The GLS-Class will continue to include three models: GLS450, GLS550, and AMG GLS63.

The base GLS450 will include a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine that will crank out 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The GLS550 will add a 4.6-liter turbocharged V8 with 449 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. Finally, the range-topping AMG GLS 63 will add a 5.5-liter V8 with 577 hp and 561 lb-ft of twist. The two non-AMG models will continue with a nine-speed automatic transmission, while the AMG GLS 63 will keep its existing seven-speed automatic transmission.

One wildcard remains the diesel version. When the GLS-Class debuted, there was the GLS350d, which had an available 3.0-liter diesel V6 that produced 255 hp and 455 lb-ft of torque. But the new, stricter EPA testing guidelines for diesel engines put this model on hold. Recently, Mercedes-Benz announced it is scrapping plans to re-release 2017 diesel models, but it will revisit the testing process in 2018. Stay tuned for details on this.

Neither the IIHS nor the NHTSA has tested the GLS-Class for safety, but we expect nothing short of incredible ratings from Mercedes. Like the 2017 model, we expect the 2018 GLS-Class to include crosswind stabilization, trailer stability assist, automatic emergency braking, and a rearview camera all as standard features. We also expect the available options to continue to include blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, an upgraded collision-mitigation system, and more.

We expect the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class to kick off production in July 2017. Its arrival at dealers will come a few months later.

2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS450 Prices

With no changes in store, look for the 2018 GLS-Class’ pricing to come close to mimicking that of the 2017 model, which ranges from $69,925 to $125,025.

While Mercedes-Benz is generally relatively generous with incentives (for a luxury automaker), including strong lease deals, unadvertised cash incentives, and APR deals, the GLS-Class has lacked any attractive offers.

Competition for the 2018 GLS-Class will include the INFINITI QX80, the Cadillac Escalade, and the Lexus LX 570.

Import/Export Ready Mercedes Benz GLS450

The GLS-Class made its debut as a new model in 2017, but it was essentially a restyled version of the discontinued GL-Class. With it still quite fresh, we expect the 2018 GLS-Class to carry on without any changes.

As a carryover model, we expect no noticeable changes to its styling, as it’ll continue with its refreshed-GL-Class appearance. The same goes for the interior, which in 2017 gained a touchpad for the infotainment system, a large display screen, Apple CarPlay, and more.

With its looks remaining the same, we anticipate no changes in the GLS-Class’ standard features. These will include 19-inch wheels, a self-leveling suspension, auto-dimming side-view mirrors, automatic headlights, LED daytime running lights and taillights, a sunroof, leatherette upholstery, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, and a power liftgate.

Buyers looking to add more features will be able to opt for the Premium Package, which will add keyless entry and ignition, power passenger seat with memory, lighted door sills, ambient lighting, and navigation. There will also the Lighting Package, which will add adaptive LED headlights and auto high beams.

The GLS-Class will continue to include three models: GLS450, GLS550, and AMG GLS63.

The base GLS450 will include a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine that will crank out 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The GLS550 will add a 4.6-liter turbocharged V8 with 449 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. Finally, the range-topping AMG GLS 63 will add a 5.5-liter V8 with 577 hp and 561 lb-ft of twist. The two non-AMG models will continue with a nine-speed automatic transmission, while the AMG GLS 63 will keep its existing seven-speed automatic transmission.